The Ceres Foundation Grant Program

The Ceres Foundation offers a grantmaking program designed to support nonprofit organizations focused on improving education and employment outcomes for historically underserved youth. With a deep commitment to building long-term, collaborative relationships, the Foundation targets organizations in three key program areas: College Access & Success, Career Pathways, and Family Strengthening. The Foundation primarily serves nonprofits located in Los Angeles and Orange Counties in California, Washington, DC, and Western Massachusetts. Grantees must be able to demonstrate or have a plan to demonstrate measurable programmatic outcomes that contribute to long-term positive change for individuals and families. The Ceres Foundation focuses on capacity building and general operating support, reflecting its goal of fostering sustainable, impactful nonprofits. While it may occasionally provide project-specific funding, the default is flexible funding to help organizations determine their own priorities. Grants are often multi-year or successive-year awards, with the Foundation demonstrating a preference for enduring partnerships. The median annual grant size is approximately $70,000, and generally, only one grant is provided per calendar year to any single organization. The Foundation does not fund scholarships, religious or sectarian activities, politically affiliated organizations, disease-specific initiatives, or events and sponsorships. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and also described under IRS sections 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or in some cases, 509(a)(3). Grantees must work with youth populations including low-income youth aged 10–26, foster youth, young parents, individuals experiencing or emerging from homelessness, justice-involved individuals, and first-generation college students. Additionally, programs must serve the specified geographic regions to be considered eligible. The Ceres Foundation operates four funding cycles annually. In 2026, submission deadlines fall on January 26 (Q1), March 27 (Q2), July 24 (Q3), and September 21 (Q4). Funding decisions are typically rendered within two months following each deadline. Only organizations that have received a grant from the Foundation within the past two years are eligible to submit a full proposal at this time, as the Foundation has paused new partnerships for the 2025 cycle, stating it is using the time to reassess and refine its grantmaking approach. They anticipate resuming new partnerships in 2026. Grant proposals are submitted through an online application portal. Returning grantees are required to submit a final report before submitting a new funding request. Multi-year grants require annual status reporting, and final reports must be submitted within 60 days of the grant period’s conclusion. Required application documents may include organization and program budgets, IRS 990 or audits, organizational charts, strategic plans, fundraising plans, logic models (if applicable), and details on the client population served and program effectiveness measures. The Foundation emphasizes trust-based philanthropy and prioritizes sustained impact through strategic support. They look for strong leadership in grantee organizations, valuing a collaborative approach to grantmaking that centers on mutual understanding, respect, and continuous improvement. Contact information for the Foundation includes an email address ([email protected]) and a phone number (401-368-5675), with a mailing address located at PO Box 578, Groton, MA 01450.

Emphasize measurable outcomes and a clear program model; Articulate client profile and expected impact; Use logic models if applicable